KENYA · GUIDE 0002 · EDITION 4.2
Spinach Farming: Harvest, Trimming and Delivery Records
Trace the agreed leaf from the bed to the kitchen
An order for trimmed spinach has a different acceptance point from an order for untrimmed bunches. Write down the crop identity and buyer's requested stem treatment before planting. A clearly labelled sample and a measured pilot can expose a mismatch before the grower commits a larger plot.
Record the harvest as separate quantities
| Stage | Record | Decision it supports |
|---|---|---|
| Planting | Bed reference, crop identity, planting source and date | Whether the delivered lot can be traced to its origin |
| Picking | Gross harvested weight, harvest date and bed reference | What entered the sorting process |
| Trimming | Removed stems and damaged or unsuitable leaves | The difference between harvest and saleable output |
| Packing | Net packed weight, container and destination | The amount dispatched to each confirmed order |
| Handover | Accepted weight, rejection reason, recipient and time | What the buyer accepted and what remains disputed |
Use the buyer's accepted sample to define the trimming decision. If the kitchen changes the stem requirement, record the change and recalculate labour and saleable output. Do not quietly substitute a different leaf because it has a similar common name.
Investigate loss at the correct stage
If material is unsuitable before packing, record its condition and seek competent crop advice where needed. If it was acceptable at packing but damaged at handover, investigate the container, loading, timing and route. If accepted stock is later returned unsold, examine the return agreement and order size. A single waste number can hide these different causes.
FAO's general leafy-vegetable handling material describes the short post-harvest life of such produce under ambient conditions. It is a reference for planning, not a tested shelf-life claim for a particular box, route or premises. Obtain suitable advice for the actual crop, water and handling process and avoid unsupported ready-to-eat claims.
Reconcile the work and the money
At the end of each route, compare dispatched, accepted and returned quantities with the order and actual cash collected. Keep an unpaid amount visible until collected; buyer acceptance alone does not make it available to purchase seed or pay transport. Retain only necessary customer contact data in private records.
Repeat the pilot when the revised specification, costs and capacity support it. One accepted sample does not establish continuous demand or prove that an untested farm can supply a promised weekly quantity.